There's an old saying: he who fails to plan, plans to fail. As you go through your college years, your study time can be made more productive simply by setting up your study area appropriately. Establishing a routine and keeping your mind on your work are important elements of creating a good study space.
1. Clear the clutter and clear your mind. If you're at home, set aside a specific area that you'll designate as your school study space. If you're at the library, bring only the textbooks, papers and pens you need for the assignments. Too much stuff in one area can be distracting and cause your mind to wander.
2. Making sure the lights are bright enough to work under is important. As you read and write, sitting right underneath the lights will make it easier to see and will prevent eye strain. Prolonged periods of reading in dim light may affect your vision over time.
3. Set up an area that is peaceful and conducive to working quietly. Turn off whatever distractions are within earshot, such as televisions, radios, cell phones, laptops. This is the time for you to focus fully on your studies and tune everything else out.
4. It's a good idea for those studying in a public area to establish a routine, showing up at the same time of day and on the same day of the week. This will help you to get all your materials set up and ready for you to work on right away, without your having to look for a new location each week.
5. Make sure that your mind is fully on your studies as you settle in to work. Since your schoolwork is the main goal, keep your mind on the project at hand. Focus your mind so that it doesn't wander and your eyes so they're not checking out attractive students passing by.
It really only takes a few minor modifications to establish better study habits that you'll come to rely on throughout your life. After college comes a job, and even then, you'll need to think critically and prove that you can absorb new ideas. Understanding how to create a good study area will give you an edge now, and later in life as well.
1. Clear the clutter and clear your mind. If you're at home, set aside a specific area that you'll designate as your school study space. If you're at the library, bring only the textbooks, papers and pens you need for the assignments. Too much stuff in one area can be distracting and cause your mind to wander.
2. Making sure the lights are bright enough to work under is important. As you read and write, sitting right underneath the lights will make it easier to see and will prevent eye strain. Prolonged periods of reading in dim light may affect your vision over time.
3. Set up an area that is peaceful and conducive to working quietly. Turn off whatever distractions are within earshot, such as televisions, radios, cell phones, laptops. This is the time for you to focus fully on your studies and tune everything else out.
4. It's a good idea for those studying in a public area to establish a routine, showing up at the same time of day and on the same day of the week. This will help you to get all your materials set up and ready for you to work on right away, without your having to look for a new location each week.
5. Make sure that your mind is fully on your studies as you settle in to work. Since your schoolwork is the main goal, keep your mind on the project at hand. Focus your mind so that it doesn't wander and your eyes so they're not checking out attractive students passing by.
It really only takes a few minor modifications to establish better study habits that you'll come to rely on throughout your life. After college comes a job, and even then, you'll need to think critically and prove that you can absorb new ideas. Understanding how to create a good study area will give you an edge now, and later in life as well.
About the Author:
Ruth Williams writes on an extremely wide range of subjects, including college prepration, online degrees, financial aid, college admission, and adult education.
